Dr. Cercek on the Impact of Tumor Sidedness on Frontline Treatment in mCRC

Andrea Cercek, MD, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the impact of tumor sidedness on frontline treatment decisions in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Tumor sidedness influences frontline treatment decisions in mCRC, says Cercek. Several retrospective analyses have shown that patients with right-sided tumors, as well as those with RAS wild-type tumors, do not benefit from anti-EGFR therapy. These patients do, however, benefit from anti-VEGF therapy in combination with cytotoxic therapy, says Cercek. Conversely, patients with left-sided tumors benefit from anti-EGFR therapy, adds Cercek.

The reason why right-sided, RAS wild-type tumors have a more aggressive biology and confer lack of response to targeted therapy versus left-sided tumors is unknown, concludes Cercek.